Swingable apparatus attachable to a vehicle for transporting a device and permitting access to the vehicle

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the invention is an apparatus that is selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device and positioning the device in an orientation that permits access to the vehicle. The apparatus may include a support arm defining a support arm longitudinal axis, wherein the support arm has a hitch collar hole. The apparatus may also include a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinal axis. The apparatus may further include a primary hinge assembly coupled to the support arm and the primary swing arm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/261,800, filed Sep. 30, 2002, titled “Swingableapparatus attachable to a vehicle for transporting a cooking device andpermitting access to the vehicle”, pending, which is incorporated hereinby this reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to apparatuses for attaching adevice to a vehicle. More particularly, the invention concerns anapparatus that is selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transportinga device (for example a cooking device), and positioning the device inan orientation that permits access to the vehicle (for example, whilecooking).

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Outdoor leisure and recreational activities such as camping,fishing, picnicking at the beach or a park, cookouts, road trips, andtailgate parties at sporting events have become increasingly popular.Often, people are transported to these types of outdoor activities in avehicle such as a truck, pickup truck, sport utility vehicle, orrecreational vehicle. Frequently, people partaking in these mobileoutdoor activities desire a freshly cooked hot meal.

[0006] One way of cooking a hot meal is to build a campfire and cook themeal over the fire. However, building a campfire can require a lot ofeffort, and creates a risk of fires. Also, campfires are not permittedin many areas. Hot meals can also be cooked on a public barbeque at acampground or picnic area. However, public barbeques are frequentlydirty, are in a state of disrepair, or are not available.

[0007] Another way of cooking a hot meal is to bring a barbeque in thevehicle, set it up at the camping, picnicking, or tailgating site, andcook the meal on the barbeque. However, transporting the barbeque in thevehicle uses valuable space inside the vehicle, and further, thebarbeque cannot be put back into the vehicle until it cools down aftercooking.

[0008] Another approach has been to permanently attach a barbeque to theexterior of a vehicle. However, it is often undesirable to always have abarbeque attached to the exterior of the vehicle. For example, there isa risk of theft, the barbeque is exposed to the elements for a longperiod of time, and parking can be problematic.

[0009] Yet another approach is to attach a barbeque to a trailer hitchon the rear of the vehicle. Although this has the advantage ofpermitting removal of the barbeque from the vehicle, this approach hasthe disadvantage of blocking access to the rear doors or hatch of thevehicle when the barbeque is attached. In summary, all of the known waysof cooking a hot meal when partaking in mobile outdoor activities haveproven inadequate.

[0010] Additionally, known ways of transporting items other than cookingdevices also often block access to the rear doors or hatch of thevehicle. Furthermore, known apparatuses that attach to the rear of avehicle for transporting items, often do not permit simultaneous use ofa trailer ball hitch, thereby preventing the user from towing an object,such as a boat or trailer, while using the apparatus.

SUMMARY

[0011] An example of one aspect of the invention is an apparatus that isselectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device andpositioning the device in an orientation that permits access to thevehicle. The apparatus may include a support arm defining a support armlongitudinal axis, wherein the support arm has a hitch collar hole. Theapparatus may also include a primary swing arm defining a primary swingarm longitudinal axis. The apparatus may further include a primary hingeassembly coupled to the support arm and the primary swing arm. Thisexample and other examples of the invention are described in thesections below.

[0012] Examples of the invention may provide one or more of thefollowing advantages. Some examples of the apparatus of the inventionpermit swinging a device (such as a cooking device, bicycle, skis,luggage, wheelchair, container, or tank) further behind the vehicle, orto the side of the vehicle, to permit complete accessibility to thevehicle cargo bay via the rear door(s) or the rear hatch of the vehicle,when loading or unloading the vehicle. Additionally, some examples ofthe apparatus can easily be attached and unattached from the vehicle.Also, some examples of the apparatus permit easily adjusting thedistance of portions of the apparatus from the vehicle. Further, someexamples of the apparatus permit utilizing a trailer ball hitch whileusing the apparatus. The invention also provides a number of otheradvantages and benefits, which should be apparent from the followingdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, in itsoperative environment.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, in itsoperative environment.

[0015]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an example of anapparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0022]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatusin accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0023]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatusin accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0024]FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of anotherexample of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment ofthe invention.

[0025]FIG. 13 is a partially exploded perspective view of anotherexample of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment ofthe invention.

[0026]FIG. 14 is a partially exploded perspective view of anotherexample of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment ofthe invention.

[0027]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an operational sequence for using anapparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

[0028]FIG. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view of an example ofan apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

[0029]FIG. 17 is a partially exploded perspective view of an example ofan apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

[0030]FIG. 18 is a partially exploded perspective view of an example ofan apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

[0031]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0032]FIG. 20 is a top view of an example of an apparatus in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0033]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0034]FIG. 22 is a front view of an example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0035]FIG. 23 is a side view of an example of an apparatus in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The nature, objectives, and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent to those skilled in the art after considering thefollowing detailed description in connection with the accompanyingdrawings. Herein “attached” means directly or indirectly connected.

I. HARDWARE COMPONENTS AND INTERCONNECTIONS

[0037] A. First Examples

[0038] One aspect of the invention is an apparatus that is selectivelyattachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking device, andpositioning the cooking device in an orientation for cooking thatpermits access to the vehicle. As an example the invention may beembodied by the apparatus 100 shown in its operative environment inFIG. 1. In FIG. 1 the apparatus 100 is attached to the trailer hitch 102of a vehicle 104, with the apparatus 100 oriented for transport, andwith the rear door and hatch of the vehicle 104 closed. The apparatus100 is also shown in its operative environment in FIG. 2, attached tothe trailer hitch 102 of the vehicle 104, with the apparatus 100oriented for cooking, and with the rear door and hatch of the vehicle104 open. As an example, the trailer hitch 102 is a standard tubulartrailer hitch 102, that typically has a hollow tube 106 that has arearward facing hollow tubular end 108 and a hole in a first side (notshown) of the trailer hitch hollow tube 106 and a hole 110 the secondside of the trailer hitch hollow tube 106 that is aligned with the firsthole in the trailer hitch hollow tube 106. A hitch locking pin 112 isused to secure the apparatus 100 to the trailer hitch 102. The vehicle104 may be any type of vehicle, for example a sport utility vehicle, arecreational vehicle, a pickup truck, a truck, a station wagon, or anyother suitable vehicle.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, the apparatus 100 includes a hitch insertionmember 302 that has a base 304, a hitch insertion member first side 306,and a hitch insertion member second side 308. The hitch insertion memberdefines a hitch insertion member longitudinal axis 310. Optionally, thehitch insertion member 302 could be shortened to position the remainderof the apparatus 100 closer to the vehicle 104. The hitch insertionmember first side 306 has a hole 312, and the hitch insertion membersecond side 308 has a hole 314 aligned with the hole 312 in the hitchinsertion member first side 306. As an example, the hitch insertionmember 302 may be sized and shaped to fit into the standard tubulartrailer hitch 102 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The opening of the hollowtubular end 108 of the trailer hitch 102 typically is two inches by twoinches. This type of trailer hitch 102 is commonly provided in thestandard tow package on most pickups, sport utility vehicles, andrecreational vehicles. To secure the apparatus 100 to this type oftrailer hitch 102, the hitch insertion member 302 is inserted into therearward facing hollow tubular end 108 of the trailer hitch 102, and theholes 312, 314 in the first 306 and second 308 sides of the hitchinsertion member 302 are aligned with the hole in the first side and thehole in the second side 110 of the trailer hitch hollow tube 106, andthe hitch locking pin 112 is inserted through the holes 312, 314 in thefirst 306 and second 308 sides of the hitch insertion member 302 and thehole in the first side and the hole in the second side 110 of thetrailer hitch hollow tube 106, to secure the hitch insertion member 302to the trailer hitch 102. Alternatively, the hitch insertion member 302could be configured to attach to tubular trailer hitch openings thathave different sizes and shapes.

[0040] Alternatively, the hitch insertion member 302 may be configuredfor use with different types of trailer hitches. An example of anothertype of trailer hitch is a draw bar hitch (not shown) that has ahorizontal bar having an aperture, and a threaded bar attached to ahitch ball for insertion into the aperture. For attachment to this typeof hitch, the hitch insertion member may be configured to have avertical hole (not shown) or vertical holes into which the threaded barattached to the hitch ball may be inserted to secure the hitch insertionmember to the horizontal bar of the trailer hitch. Alternatively, a pin,rather than the threaded bar attached to a hitch ball, can be insertedinto the aperture to secure the hitch insertion member to the trailerhitch. Alternatively, the hitch insertion member may be configured tohave a vertical hole or vertical holes into which the hitch ball may beinserted to secure the hitch insertion member to the trailer hitch.

[0041] In an alternative example the apparatus 100 could be adapted tobe attached to the frame of a vehicle, rather than being attached to atrailer hitch 102. For example, the apparatus 100 could be permanentlyattached to the frame of a recreational vehicle. Likewise, in analternative example the apparatus 100 could be adapted to attach to abumper of a vehicle. In these alternative examples, a support arm 322could be adapted to be attached directly to the frame or bumper of thevehicle 104, without including a hitch insertion member 302 on theapparatus. Alternatively, instead of the hitch insertion member 302, oneor more attachment members (not shown) could be attached to the supportarm 322 for attachment to the vehicle frame or bumper. Alternatively,the apparatus 100 could be attached to a portion of the vehicle 104other than the frame or a bumper.

[0042] The apparatus 100 includes the support arm 322 that has a supportarm top 324 and a support arm bottom 326, and a support arm first end328 and a support arm second end 330. The support arm 322 also defines asupport arm longitudinal axis 332. The support arm top 324 has a supportarm top primary hinge hole 334, and the support arm bottom 326 has asupport arm bottom primary hinge hole 336 that is aligned with thesupport arm top primary hinge hole 334. If the support arm 322 is solid,the support arm top primary hinge hole 334 and the support arm bottomprimary hinge hole 336 would be different ends of a single hole. Thesupport arm top 324 may also have a support arm primary angle securinghole 338. The support arm 322 is attached to the base 304 of the hitchinsertion member 302. As an example, the first end 328 of the supportarm 322 may be attached to the base 304 of the hitch insertion member302 with the support arm longitudinal axis 332 substantiallyperpendicular to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis 310.However, this perpendicular arrangement is not required.

[0043] In one example the support arm top primary hinge hole 334 islocated about 2.7 centimeters from the support arm second end 330, andthe support arm primary angle securing hole 338 is located about 5.8centimeters from the support arm top primary hinge hole 334. Typically,the support arm top primary hinge hole 334 will be located within aboutfive centimeters from the support arm second end 330, and the supportarm primary angle securing hole 338 will be located within about tencentimeters from the support arm top primary hinge hole 334. However,the support arm top primary hinge hole 334 can be located at otherdistances from the support arm second end 330, and the support armprimary angle securing hole 338 can be located at other distances fromthe support arm top primary hinge hole 334. Optionally, more than oneset of support arm top and bottom primary hinge holes and primary anglesecuring holes could be provided in the support arm 322, to permitselectively attaching a primary swing arm 340 to different locations onthe support arm 322.

[0044] The apparatus 100 includes the primary swing arm 340, whichdefines a primary swing arm longitudinal axis 342, and which has aprimary swing arm hinged end 344 and a primary swing arm swinging end346. The primary swing arm 340 is typically able to swing one hundredand eighty degrees. However, the apparatus 100 can be configured topermit larger or smaller maximum swing angles for the primary swing arm340. The capability of the primary swing arm 340 to swing one hundredand eighty degrees is a convenience and safety feature that allows theuser to safely locate the cooking device 348 (which may be hot) in asafe location, and to position it in a desirable orientation in relationto the wind. The cooking device 348 defines a cooking devicelongitudinal axis 349.

[0045] This example of the apparatus 100 further includes a primaryhinge assembly 350 for pivotally attaching the primary swing arm 340 tothe support arm 322. However, any type of hinge, pivot, or othersuitable apparatus for pivotally attaching the primary swing arm 340 tothe support arm 322 could be used. The primary hinge assembly 350 has atop hinge plate 352 having a central hole 354 for alignment with thesupport arm top primary hinge hole 334. The top hinge plate 352 may alsohave a plurality of locking holes 356 for selective alignment with thesupport arm primary angle securing hole 338. The primary hinge assembly350 also has a bottom hinge plate 358 having a central hole 360 foralignment with the support arm bottom primary hinge hole 336. Theprimary hinge assembly 350 may also have a stop wall 362 attached to thebottom hinge plate 358 to establish the maximum angle the primary swingarm longitudinal axis 342 can rotate in relation to the support armlongitudinal axis 332. The primary hinge assembly 350 also includes anattachment wall 364 connected to the top hinge plate 352 and the bottomhinge plate 358. The attachment wall 364 is attached to the primaryswing arm 340. As an example, the attachment wall 364 may be attached tothe hinged end 344 of the primary swing arm 340. However, the attachmentwall 364 could be attached to other locations on the primary swing arm340. The portion of the primary hinge assembly 350 that includes the tophinge plate 352, bottom hinge plate 358, stop wall 362, and attachmentwall 364, may be made from two or more separate pieces that are attachedtogether, or can be formed from a singe piece (for example a singlepiece of metal).

[0046] The primary hinge assembly 350 also includes a primary hinge bar366 inserted through the central hole 354 in the top hinge plate 352 inthe primary hinge assembly 350, the support arm top primary hinge hole334, the support arm bottom primary hinge hole 336, and the central hole360 in the bottom hinge plate 358 of the primary hinge assembly 350, toattach the primary swing arm 340 to the support arm 322, and to permitthe primary swing arm 340 to rotate in relation to the support arm 322.The primary hinge assembly 350 may also have a primary angle locking bar368 inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes 356 in the tophinge plate 352 of the primary hinge assembly 350 and into the primaryangle securing hole 338 in the support arm 322, to lock the primaryswing arm longitudinal axis 342 at an angle in relation to the supportarm longitudinal axis 332 selected from a plurality of angles determinedby the locations of the locking holes 356 in the top hinge plate 352 ofthe primary hinge assembly 350 and by the location of the support armprimary angle securing hole 338. The primary angle locking bar 368 maybe in a self contained, spring loaded bar housing (not shown), whichcontains the bar to prevent the bar from being lost. The bar housing maybe tack welded to the top hinge plate 352. Alternatively, the primaryangle locking bar 368 is not in a bar housing. Optionally, the primaryangle locking bar 368 may be held in place with a clip or pin.

[0047] Optionally, the central hole 354 in the top hinge plate 352 ofthe primary hinge assembly 350 is located in an overhang area 370 of thetop hinge plate 352, and the plurality of locking holes 356 in the tophinge plate 352 of the primary hinge assembly 350 are also located inthe overhang area 370 of the top hinge plate 352. Also optionally, thecentral hole 360 in the bottom hinge plate 358 of the primary hingeassembly 350 is located in an overhang area 372 of the bottom hingeplate 358, and the stop wall 362 is partially contiguous with theoverhang area 372 and a nonoverhang area 374 of the bottom hinge plate358.

[0048] The apparatus 100 also includes a pedestal 376 that has a base378. The pedestal 376 defines a pedestal longitudinal axis 380. The base378 of the pedestal 376 is attached to the primary swing arm 340. As anexample, the base 378 of the pedestal 376 may be attached to theswinging end 346 of the primary swing arm 340 with the pedestallongitudinal axis 380 substantially perpendicular to the primary swingarm longitudinal axis 342. However, this perpendicular arrangement isnot required. For example, in embodiments of the invention where theprimary swing arm 340 is not horizontal, the pedestal longitudinal axis380 is not perpendicular to the primary swing arm longitudinal axis 342.Also, the pedestal 376 could be attached to the primary swing arm 340 ata location other than the swinging end 346 of the primary swing arm 340.The pedestal 376 may have a rotation adjustment locking hole 382, whichmay be threaded. The apparatus 100 also includes a column 384, which isat least partially inserted into the pedestal 376. The column 384defines a column longitudinal axis 386. The apparatus 100 may alsoinclude a column rotation locking bar 388, which may be threaded, thatis secured through the rotation adjustment locking hole 382 to lock thecolumn 384 at a selected rotation within the pedestal 376, by tighteningthe column rotation locking bar 388 against the column 384. The columnrotation locking bar 388 could also be used to lock the column 384 at aselected height within the pedestal 376, by tightening the columnrotation locking bar 388 against the column 384. Alternatively, aplurality of holes could be provided in the column 384, into which thecolumn rotation locking bar 388 could be selectively inserted, to lockthe column 384 at a selected height within the pedestal 376, to lock thecooking device 348 at a selected height. Alternatively, a plurality offixed locating pins attached to the pedestal 376 could be used to selecta desired height. The apparatus may also include a lateral member 390attached to the column 384. A collar swivel (not shown) could beattached at or near the top of the column 384, and to the lateral member390, to permit the column 394 to rotate in relation to the lateralmember 390, to permit three hundred sixty degree (or less) rotation ofthe cooking device 348. The collar swivel could have a securing knob,for example attached to a threaded or spring loaded bar, for locking thecollar swivel at a selected rotation.

[0049] The apparatus 100 may also include a support arm outside gusset392 attached to the support arm 322 and the hitch insertion member 302.The apparatus 100 may also include a support arm inside gusset 394attached to the support arm 322 and the hitch insertion member 302. Theapparatus 100 may also include an inside pedestal gusset 396 attached tothe pedestal 376 and the primary swing arm 340. Optionally, the insidepedestal gusset 396 could have a threaded hole aligned with a rotationadjustment locking hole in the pedestal 376. The apparatus 100 may alsohave an outside pedestal gusset 398 attached to the pedestal 376 and theprimary swing arm 340. The apparatus 100 may also have a top hinge holeliner 400 inside the support arm top primary hinge hole 334, and abottom hinge hole liner 402 inside the support arm bottom primary hingehole 336. The apparatus 100 may also have a first bracket 404 attachedto a first end 406 of the lateral member 390 and a second bracket 408attached to a second end 410 of the lateral member 390. The firstbracket 404 may have a plurality of holes 412 and the second bracket 408may have a plurality of holes 414, and the cooking device 348 (forexample a barbeque) may have a plurality of holes 416 aligned with theplurality of holes 412 in the first bracket 404 and the plurality ofholes 414 in the second bracket 408. The apparatus 100 may also includea plurality of bolts 418 and a plurality of nuts 420 for attaching thecooking device 348 to the first bracket 404 and the second bracket 408,wherein the cooking device 348 is attached to the lateral member 390 byattaching the cooking device 348 to the first bracket 404 and the secondbracket 408 by inserting a bolt from the plurality of bolts 418 througheach of the aligned holes in the cooking device 348 and the firstbracket 404, and through each of the aligned holes in the cooking device348 and the second bracket 408, and securing each bolt with a nut fromthe plurality of nuts 420. Typically, 6-8 bolts are used, althoughdifferent numbers could be used. The lateral member 390 may have alateral member hole 422, and the column 384 may be inserted into thelateral member hole 422 and attached to the lateral member 390. However,the cooking device 348 could be attached to the primary swing arm 340 inany other suitable way. For example the column 384 may be attached tothe cooking device 348 with one or more support arms (not shown), andthe lateral member 390 and the first bracket 404 and the second bracket408 need not be included.

[0050] A cross section of the hitch insertion member 302 perpendicularto the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis 310 may be a square,rectangle, circle, oval or any other suitable shape. A cross section ofthe support arm 322 perpendicular to the support arm longitudinal axis332 may be a square, rectangle, circle, oval or any other suitableshape. A cross section of the primary swing arm 340 perpendicular to theprimary swing arm longitudinal axis 342 may be a square, rectangle,circle, oval or any other suitable shape. A cross section of thepedestal 376 perpendicular to the pedestal longitudinal axis 380 may bea square, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any other suitableshape. A cross section of the column 384 perpendicular to the columnlongitudinal axis 386 may be a circle or any other suitable shape. Thehitch insertion member 302 (and the collar insertion member 1626, 1646discussed below), the support arm 322, the primary swing arm 340, andthe column 384 may be hollow, tubular, bar stock, solid, honeycombed orany other suitable structure, and may have different structures. Thepedestal 376 is hollow to permit insertion of the column 384.

[0051] The hitch insertion member 302, support arm 322, primary swingarm 340, primary hinge assembly 350, pedestal 376, column 384, lateralmember 390, first bracket 404, second bracket 408, and the othercomponents of the apparatus 100 (and the apparatus 1600, 2000 discussedbelow) may be made of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, carbon fiber,plastic, or any other suitable material. Different components of theapparatus 100 may be made from different materials. Any suitable type offinish may be used for the components of the apparatus 100, for example,zinc type 1, zinc type 2, paint, powder coat, or black oxide could beused for steel components; polished stainless steel could be used forstainless steel components; and soft anodized, hard anodized, paint, orpowder coat could be used for aluminum components. Chrome plating couldbe applied to any material, and nickel plating could be applied to anymaterial except plastic. The apparatus 100 could be painted to match thecolor of the vehicle 104 to which the apparatus 100 is removablyattached.

[0052] The cooking device 348 may be attached to the lateral member 390.However, the apparatus 100 does not have to include a cooking device348. The cooking device 348 could be, for example, a barbeque, agriddle, a wok, a gas burner, a smoker, a rotisserie, a deep fryer, orany other suitable device for cooking. Many of the possible cookingdevices will have a grill. Almost any grilling area could be used, buttypically the grilling area will range from about one hundred squareinches to about two thousand square inches. Different sizes and types ofbarbeque models can be used as the cooking device 348, and almost anybarbeque could be used. Appropriate gas barbeques can have one, two, ormore burners. Propane fueled barbeques having almost any BTU ratingcould be used, for example ten thousand BTU (or less) to one hundredthousand BTU (or more). A suitable barbeque can be obtained, forexample, from Onward Manufacturing Company, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.Although not required, the cooking device 348 typically will have acover 424. The cover 424 may include a logo.

[0053] The cooking device 348, which for example may be a barbeque, canhave almost any weight, and typically will range from, for example,about twenty-five pounds to about five hundred pounds. However, alighter or heavier cooking device 348 could be used. A typical barbequeused as the cooking device 348 may weigh about twenty-five pounds. Theweight of the apparatus 100 including a barbeque (but not including afuel tank) may range, for example, from about thirty pounds to aboutfive hundred pounds, commonly will be about thirty pounds to aboutseventy-five pounds, and typically will be about fifty pounds. However,the weight of the apparatus 100 could be lighter than thirty pounds orheavier than five hundred pounds. Typically, a propane tank will weighfrom about ten pounds to about twenty pounds, but could weigh less thanten pounds or more than twenty pounds.

[0054] The fuel for the cooking device 348 can be, for example, propane(LPG), charcoal, wood, natural gas, electricity, or any other type ofgas or other fuel used for cooking. A wide variety of standard fueltanks, for example standard propane tanks, could be connected to thecooking device 348, typically by using a standard connector for quickconnection and disconnection. Optionally, the apparatus 100 can includean attachment for connecting the cooking device 348 to a gas source on avehicle, or to a land based gas source. For example, when used with arecreational vehicle (RV), the apparatus 100 could be attached to apropane tank on the recreational vehicle that is also used for thestove, refrigerator, and other appliances in the recreational vehicle.

[0055] Optionally, the pedestal 376 has a pedestal front securing hole426 and a pedestal back securing hole 428, wherein the pedestal frontsecuring hole 426 and the pedestal back securing hole 428 are onopposite sides of the pedestal 376 and are aligned with each other.Similarly, optionally, the column 384 has a column front securing hole430 and a column back securing hole 432, wherein the column frontsecuring hole 430 and the column back securing hole 432 are on oppositesides of the column 384 and are aligned with each other. The columnfront securing hole 430 is located to permit alignment with the pedestalfront securing hole 426, and the column back securing hole 432 islocated to permit alignment with the pedestal back securing hole 428when the column 384 is inserted into the pedestal 376. The apparatus mayalso optionally include a securing wall 434 attached to the support arm322. The securing wall 434 has a securing wall hole 436 located to alignwith the pedestal back securing hole 428 when the primary swing arm 340is in a closed position adjacent the support arm 322. The apparatus 100also optionally includes a locking bar 438 for insertion into thesecuring wall hole 436, the pedestal back securing hole 428, the columnback securing hole 432, the column front securing hole 430, and thepedestal front securing hole 426, to secure the apparatus 100 fortransport. A clip may be attached to the locking bar 438 to secure thelocking bar 438, or alternatively, the locking bar may be part of a lockor may be attached to a lock. This arrangement of the securing holes andthe securing wall 434 and the locking bar 438 permits securing orlocking the column 384 (and therefore also the cooking device 348) tothe apparatus 100. This arrangement also provides for securing orlocking the column 384 and pedestal 376 to the securing wall 434 on thesupport arm 322, thereby maintaining the primary swing arm 340 in aclosed position next to the support arm 322 for safely transporting theapparatus 100.

[0056] Optionally, the apparatus 100 could include a sensing device (notshown), for example an electrical or magnetic switch or a photovoltaicsensor, which could be attached, for example, to the support arm 322,the primary swing arm 340, the primary hinge assembly 350, or thesecuring wall 434, to detect when the primary swing arm 340 is in aclosed position next to the support arm 322. The sensing device could becoupled to a light, buzzer, speaker, or other type of indicator in thevehicle 104, to notify the user when the apparatus 100 is not in aclosed position when transporting or preparing to transport theapparatus 100.

[0057] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus includes a fueltank holder 450 attached to the primary swing arm 340 for attaching afuel tank 452 to the apparatus 100. Alternatively, the fuel tank holder450 could be attached to the support arm 322, the pedestal 376, or thehitch insertion member 302. Other types of fuel tank holders could alsobe used. Alternatively, rather than including a fuel tank holder on theapparatus 100, the fuel tank 452 could be placed on the ground whenconnected to the cooking device 348 for cooking, and could be placed inthe vehicle 104 when transporting the apparatus 100. The fuel tank 452may be stored in the vehicle, or placed in the fuel tank holder 450,when transporting the apparatus 100. The apparatus also 100 optionallyincludes fuel hose retaining clips (not shown) for the fuel hose 453.

[0058] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus 100 could alsoinclude a fire extinguisher holder 454 attached to the pedestal 376, forattaching a fire extinguisher 456 to the apparatus 100. Alternatively,the fire extinguisher holder 454 could be attached to the support arm322, the primary swing arm 340, or the hitch insertion member 302. Thefire extinguisher 456 may be stored in the vehicle 104, or placed in thefire extinguisher holder 454, when transporting the apparatus 100.

[0059] Optionally, additional items could be permanently or temporarilyattached to the support arm 322, the primary swing arm 340, and/or thepedestal 376. The additional items could include one or more coolers(ice chests), refrigerators, cutting surfaces (for example cuttingboards), condiment trays, and compartments or drawers for storingcooking utensils, grill covers, lights (for example for nightbarbequing), side-auxiliary grills (auxiliary burners), and/oradditional cooking devices.

[0060] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus could include ashock dampening device 462 having a shock dampening device first end 464permanently or removably attached to the hitch insertion member 302 (orthe support arm 322 or the primary swing arm 340), and a second shockdampening device end 466 permanently or removably attached to thelateral member 390 (or the cooking device 348), to dampen the vibrationof the cooking device 348 when transporting the apparatus 100. The shockdampening device 462 may be a shock absorber or any other device fordampening movement and vibration of the cooking device 348.

[0061] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus may include asupplemental trailer hitch receptacle 468, and may also include atrailer hitch ball assembly 470 which may be attached to thesupplemental trailer hitch receptacle 468. The supplemental trailerhitch receptacle 468 is attached to the hitch insertion member 302, toenable the user to tow something (for example a trailer or boat) withthe vehicle 104, while the apparatus 100 is attached to the trailerhitch 102 of the vehicle 104. The supplemental trailer hitch receptacle468, and the trailer hitch ball assembly 470 could be temporarilyattached and removable, or permanently attached, to the apparatus 100.Also, the trailer hitch ball assembly 470 could be permanently orremovably attached to the supplemental trailer hitch receptacle 468.Alternatively, a trailer hitch ball assembly could be attached directlyto the apparatus 100 without using a supplemental trailer hitchreceptacle 468.

[0062] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus includes a licenseplate mount 472 and a license plate light 474 attached to the supportarm 322. Alternatively, the license plate mount 472 and license platelight 474 could be attached to the primary swing arm 340, the hitchinsertion member 302, the pedestal 376, or any other portion of theapparatus 100.

[0063] Optionally, the apparatus could be configured to be self-aligningfor transport. For example, the cooking device 348 would beautomatically rotated to orient the cooking device longitudinal axis 349substantially parallel with the support arm longitudinal axis 332, whenthe primary swing arm 340 is moved to a closed position next to thesupport arm 322. This could be accomplished, for example, with analignment arm (not shown) connected to the swing arm and the column 384.The apparatus could also be configured to be self closing.

[0064] Optionally, one or more springs (not shown) could be attached tothe support arm 322 and the primary swing arm 340 to assist in closingthe apparatus 100 for transport (positioning the primary swing arm 340next to the support arm 322). Optionally, one or more springs (notshown) could be attached to the apparatus 100 to assist in raising thecooking device 348 when adjusting the cooking device 348 to a desiredheight for cooking.

[0065] Optionally, one or more electrical motors (not shown) could beattached to the support arm 322 and the primary swing arm 340 to swingthe primary swing arm 340 away from the support arm 322, and to closethe primary swing arm 340 to a position next to the support arm 322. Amotor could also be attached to the column 384 or lateral member 390and/or other part of the apparatus 100 to raise or lower the cookingdevice 348. The motor or motors could be operated with a wireless remotecontrol device, or with a switch in the vehicle wired to the motor ormotors, or with a switch on the apparatus 100 wired to the motor ormotors.

[0066] Optionally, the apparatus 100 could include speakers (not shown)that could be connected to a vehicle audio system.

[0067] Optionally, a ground support leg (not shown) could be used withthe apparatus 100 to help support the cooking device 348 when cookingfood that is particularly heavy. The ground support leg could be avertical post with a base. The ground support leg could be placedbetween the ground and either the primary swing arm 340, the lateralmember 390, the first bracket 404, the second bracket 408, or thecooking device 348, to help support the cooking device 348.

[0068] Optionally, the apparatus 100 could be placed in a carrier stand(not shown) when the apparatus is not attached to a vehicle. As anexample, the carrier stand may have wheels to permit rolling the carrierstand on the ground. The carrier stand could be rolled to a location inthe user's garage for storage of the apparatus 100, and could be rolledto the trailer hitch 102 on the vehicle 104 when attaching the apparatus100 to the trailer hitch 102. As an example, the carrier stand could beconfigured to carry the apparatus 100 so that the hitch insertion member302 is at a height that permits easy insertion into the trailer hitch102 on the vehicle 104. The carrier stand could also be configured topermit adjusting the height of the apparatus 100 when the apparatus 100is in the carrier stand, to facilitate inserting the hitch insertionmember 302 into the trailer hitch 102. The apparatus 100 could also beused as a backyard, tailgate, or beach barbeque when placed in thecarrier stand. Optionally, the carrier stand could be made withremovable wheels, or without wheels.

[0069] B. Inclined Primary Swing Arm

[0070] As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the support arm longitudinalaxis 332 and the primary swing arm longitudinal axis 342 aresubstantially parallel and horizontal, when the hitch insertion member302 is oriented to be inserted into the trailer hitch 102. In anotherexample of the apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 5, the support armlongitudinal axis 502 is substantially horizontal and the swing armlongitudinal axis 504 defines an angle alpha from horizontal, when thehitch insertion member 506 is oriented to be inserted into the trailerhitch 102. In the apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 5, the primary swing arm508 is attached directly to the lateral member 510, and the apparatus500 may not have a pedestal 376 or column 384.

[0071] C. Shapes of the Support Arm and Primary Swing Arm

[0072] In the example of the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4, the supportarm 322 and the primary swing arm 340 are substantially straight. Inanother example of the apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 6, the support arm602 and the primary swing arm 604 are curved, for example, to contour tothe shape of a vehicle or to the shape of item(s) attached to a vehicle.Alternatively, the support arm 602 could be straight and the primaryswing arm 604 could be curved, or, the support arm 602 could be curvedand the primary swing arm 604 could be straight. Optionally, thepedestal 376 and column 384 could be curved (whether or not the supportarm 602 and/or the primary swing arm 604 are curved). In another exampleof the apparatus 700 shown in FIG. 7, the support arm 702 has extrasegments 704 and the primary swing arm 706 has extra segments 708, forexample, to fit the apparatus 700 around a spare tire or fuel containeror water container. Alternatively, one or more additional extrasegments, or less additional segments, could be used which areconfigured differently than the extra segments 704, 708 shown in FIG. 7.Alternatively only the support arm 702 or only the primary swing arm 706has one or more extra segments, for example, to support a gas or watercontainer. One or more straight or curved extra segments could also beincluded in a curved support arm and/or a curved primary swing arm, andcurved extra segments could also be included in a straight support armand/or a straight primary swing arm. Further, one or more extra segmentscould be included in the support arm and/or the primary swing arm and/orthe secondary swing arm in the other examples of the apparatus describedherein.

[0073] D. Vertical Members and Telescoping Portions

[0074] In another example of the apparatus 800 shown in FIG. 8, a hitchvertical member 802 is attached to the hitch insertion member 804 andthe support arm 806, to attach the support arm 806 to the hitchinsertion member 804, and to locate the support arm 806 and the primaryswing arm 808 in a plane that is a specified distance above the trailerhitch 102. Alternatively, the hitch vertical member 802 could extendbelow the hitch insertion member 804 and could be used to locate thesupport arm 806 and the primary swing arm 808 in a plane that is aspecified distance below the trailer hitch 102. Optionally, the hitchvertical member 802 could have an outer telescoping portion and an innertelescoping portion, to permit adjustment of the length of the hitchvertical member 802, which optionally could be locked at a desiredlength with a threaded locking pin that could be inserted in a threadedhole in the outer telescoping portion to push against the innertelescoping portion.

[0075] In another example of the apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 9, theprimary swing arm 902 is above the support arm 904. Alternatively, theprimary swing arm 902 could be located below the support arm 904.

[0076] In another example of the apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 10, asupport vertical member 1002 is attached to the primary hinge assembly1004 and the primary swing arm 1006, to position the primary swing arm1006 a specified distance above the support arm 1008. Alternatively, thesupport vertical member 1002 could extend below the support arm 1008 andcould be used to position the primary swing arm 1006 a specifieddistance below the support arm 1008. Optionally, the support verticalmember 1002 could have an outer telescoping portion and an innertelescoping portion, to permit adjustment of the length of the supportvertical member 1002, which optionally could be locked at a desiredlength with a threaded locking pin that could be inserted in a threadedhole in the outer telescoping portion to push against the innertelescoping portion.

[0077] In another example of the apparatus 1100 shown in FIG. 11, theprimary swing arm 1102 has a retainer portion 1104 and a telescopinginsertion portion 1106 that is partially inserted into the retainerportion 1104 and secured to the retainer portion 1104, wherein thetelescoping insertion portion 1106 can be partially extended from withinthe retainer portion 1104 to extend the length of the primary swing arm1102. A retainer knob 1107 connected to a threaded retainer bar may beinserted into a threaded hole in the retainer portion 1104, to pushagainst the telescoping insertion portion 1106 to hold the telescopinginsertion portion 1106 in place. In this example the attachment wall1108 of the primary hinge assembly 1110 is attached to the telescopinginsertion portion 1106 of the primary swing arm 1102, and the base 1112of the pedestal 1114 is attached to the retainer portion 1104 of theprimary swing arm 1102. Similarly, the support arm 1116 could have aretainer portion (not shown) and a telescoping insertion portion (notshown) to extend the length of the support arm.

[0078] E. Swinging Support Arm

[0079] Another example of the invention may be embodied by the apparatus1200 shown in FIG. 12. The apparatus 1200 generally has the features ofthe apparatus 100, and also has the following additional components andfeatures. In one implementation of the example of the invention shown inFIG. 12, the support arm longitudinal axis 1202 could swingapproximately one hundred eighty degrees, from perpendicular to thehitch insertion member longitudinal axis 1204 in a first direction, toperpendicular to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis 1204 in asecond opposite direction. For example, the support arm longitudinalaxis 1202 could be swung to a position substantially parallel to a rearbumper of the vehicle 104 in one direction, and then could be swung onehundred and eighty degrees to a position substantially parallel with therear bumper of the vehicle 104 an opposite direction. However, the rangeof swing could be greater, or smaller, than one hundred eighty degrees.In the apparatus 1200, the hitch insertion member 1206 has a hitchinsertion member top 1208 that has a hitch insertion member top hingehole 1210, and the hitch insertion member 1206 also has a hitchinsertion member bottom 1212 that has a hitch insertion member bottomhinge hole 1214 that is aligned with the hitch insertion member tophinge hole 1210. The hitch insertion member top 1208 also has a hitchinsertion member angle securing hole 1216.

[0080] The apparatus 1200 also includes a central hinge assembly 1218.However, any type of hinge, pivot, or other suitable apparatus forpivotally attaching the support arm 1236 to the hitch insertion member1206 could be used. The central hinge assembly 1218 has a top hingeplate 1220 having a central hole 1222 for alignment with the hitchinsertion member top hinge hole 1210. The top hinge plate 1220 may alsohave a plurality of locking holes 1224 for selective alignment with thehitch insertion member angle securing hole 1216. The central hingeassembly 1218 also has a bottom hinge plate 1226 having a central hole1228 for alignment with the hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole1214. The central hinge assembly 1218 may also have a stop wall 1230attached to the bottom hinge plate 1226 to establish a maximum angle thesupport arm longitudinal axis 1202 can rotate in relation to the hitchinsertion member longitudinal axis 1204. Optionally, a second stop wall(not shown) could also be used. For example, a first stop wall couldlimit the extent of swing of the support arm 1236 in a first direction,and a second stop wall could limit the extent of swing of the supportarm 1236 in a second direction. The central hinge assembly 1218 alsoincludes a back wall 1234 connected to the top hinge plate 1220 and thebottom hinge plate 1226. The back wall 1234 is attached to the supportarm 1236. The central hinge assembly 1218 also includes a central hingebar 1238 inserted through the central hole 1222 in the top hinge plate1220 in the central hinge assembly 1218, the hitch insertion member tophinge hole 1210, the hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole 1214, andthe central hole 1228 in the bottom hinge plate 1226 of the centralhinge assembly 1218, to attach the support arm 1236 to the hitchinsertion member 1206, and to permit the support arm 1236 to rotate inrelation to the hitch insertion member 1206. The central hinge assembly1218 may also have a central angle locking bar 1240 inserted into one ofthe plurality of locking holes 1224 in the top hinge plate 1220 of thecentral hinge assembly 1218 and into the angle securing hole 1216 in thehitch insertion member 1206, to lock the support arm longitudinal axis1202 at an angle in relation to the hitch insertion member longitudinalaxis 1204 selected from a plurality of angles determined by thelocations of the locking holes 1224 in the top hinge plate 1220 of thecentral hinge assembly 1218 and by the location of the angle securinghole 1216 in the hitch insertion member 1206. The central angle lockingbar 1240 may be in a self contained, spring loaded bar housing (notshown), which contains the bar to prevent the bar from being lost. Thebar housing may be tack welded to the top hinge plate 1220.Alternatively, the primary central angle locking bar 1240 is not in abar housing.

[0081] F. Secondary Swing Arm

[0082] Another example of the invention may be embodied by the apparatus1300 shown in FIG. 13. The apparatus 1300 generally has the features ofthe apparatus 100, and also has the following additional components andfeatures. The support arm 1302 in the apparatus 1300 may be longer thanthe support arm 322 in the apparatus 100. In the apparatus 1300, thesupport arm top 1304 has a support arm top secondary hinge hole 1306,and the support arm bottom 1308 also has a support arm bottom secondaryhinge hole 1310 that is aligned with the support arm top secondary hingehole 1306. The support arm top 1304 may also has a support arm secondaryangle securing hole 1312.

[0083] The apparatus 1300 also includes a secondary swing arm 1314defining a secondary swing arm longitudinal axis 1316, and having asecondary swing arm hinged end 1318 and a secondary swing arm swingingend 1320. The apparatus 1300 further includes a secondary hinge assembly1322. However, any type of hinge, pivot, or other suitable apparatus forpivotally attaching the secondary swing arm 1314 to the support arm 1302could be used. The secondary hinge assembly 1322 has a top hinge plate1324 having a central hole 1326 for alignment with the support arm topsecondary hinge hole 1306. The top hinge plate 1324 may also have aplurality of locking holes 1328 for selective alignment with the supportarm secondary angle securing hole 1312. The secondary hinge assembly1322 also has a bottom hinge plate 1330 having a central hole 1332 foralignment with the support arm bottom secondary hinge hole 1310. Thesecondary hinge assembly 1322 may also have a stop wall 1334 attached tothe bottom hinge plate 1330 to establish the maximum angle the secondaryswing arm longitudinal axis 1316 can rotate in relation to the supportarm longitudinal axis 1336. The secondary hinge assembly 1322 alsoincludes an attachment wall 1338 connected to the top hinge plate 1324and the bottom hinge plate 1330. The attachment wall 1338 is attached tothe secondary swing arm 1314. The secondary hinge assembly 1322 alsoincludes a secondary hinge bar 1340 inserted through the central hole1326 in the top hinge plate 1324 in the secondary hinge assembly 1322,the support arm top secondary hinge hole 1306, the support arm bottomsecondary hinge hole 1310, and the central hole 1332 in the bottom hingeplate 1330 of the secondary hinge assembly 1322, to attach the secondaryswing arm 1314 to the support arm 1302, and to permit the secondaryswing arm 1314 to rotate in relation to the support arm 1302. Thesecondary hinge assembly 1322 may also have a secondary angle lockingbar 1342 inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes 1328 in thetop hinge plate 1324 of the secondary hinge assembly 1322 and into thesecondary angle securing hole 1312 in the support arm 1302, to lock thesecondary swing arm longitudinal axis 1316 at an angle in relation tothe support arm longitudinal axis 1336 selected from a plurality ofangles determined by the locations of the locking holes 1328 in the tophinge plate 1324 of the secondary hinge assembly 1322 and by thelocation of the secondary angle securing hole 1312 in the support arm1302. The secondary angle locking bar 1342 may be in a self contained,spring loaded bar housing (not shown), which contains the bar to preventthe bar from being lost. The bar housing may be tack welded to the tophinge plate 1324. Alternatively, the secondary angle locking bar 1342 isnot in a bar housing.

[0084] In the illustrated example, a secondary pedestal 1343 is attachedto the secondary swing arm 1314. Optionally, the secondary pedestal 1343can have front and back holes for securing the secondary swing arm 1314to a securing wall (not shown) with a secondary locking bar 1345.Optionally, one or more additional items may be permanently or removablyattached to the secondary pedestal 1343 and/or the secondary swing arm1314. Optionally, the secondary pedestal 1343 is not included and one ormore of the additional items is attached directly to the secondary swingarm 1314. These additional items could include one or more coolers 1344(ice chests), refrigerators, cutting surfaces 1346 (for example cuttingboards), condiment trays, and compartments or drawers 1348 for storingcooking utensils, grill covers, lights (for example, for nightbarbequing), side-auxiliary grills (auxiliary burners), and/oradditional cooking devices.

[0085] G. Height Locking Bar

[0086] Another example of the invention embodied by the apparatus 1400is illustrated in FIG. 14. The apparatus 1400 includes a height lockingbar 1402 pivotally connected to the swing arm 1404 with a pivot assembly1406, wherein the height locking bar 1402 has a movable end 1408 thathas a hole 1410. The apparatus 1400 also has a ledge 1412 attached tothe lateral member 1414, wherein the ledge 1412 has a lateral slit 1416.The apparatus 1400 also has a height locking bolt 1418 inserted throughthe hole 1410 in the movable end 1408 of the height locking bar 1402 andthrough the lateral slit 1416 in the ledge 1412 of the lateral member1414. The apparatus 1400 also has a wingnut 1420 attached to the heightlocking bolt 1418, for securing the movable end 1408 of the heightlocking bar 1402 to the ledge 1412, to lock the cooking device 1422 at adesired height. Optionally, the height locking bar 1402 could have twotelescoping portions, and a locking rod for locking the telescopingportions so that the height locking bar 1402 could be locked atdifferent lengths. Optionally, one or more additional height lockingbars, height locking bolts, and wingnuts could be used, and one or moreadditional ledges and lateral slits could be used (or the ledge 1412 andthe lateral slit 1416 could be extended). Optionally, as illustrated inFIG. 14, in the apparatus 1400 the column 1424 may have a square crosssection rather than a circular cross section (although a circular crosssection could be used). Also, the apparatus 1400 may not include acolumn rotation locking bar 388 or a rotation adjustment locking hole382.

[0087] H. Hitch Collar, Ground Support Post, and Additional Embodiments

[0088] An example of the invention shown in FIG. 16, is an apparatus1600 selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device andpositioning the device in an orientation that permits access to thevehicle. The apparatus may include a support arm 1602 defining a supportarm longitudinal axis 1604, wherein the support arm has a hitch collarhole 1606. The hitch collar hole 1606 may be located proximate a firstend 1608 of the support arm 1602, but could be located in otherlocations. As an example, the hitch collar hole 1606 is rectangular,(and may be square). However, the hitch collar hole 1606 could have anydesired shape, and could be a square, circle, triangle, pentagon,hexagon, or any other suitable shape. The hitch collar hole 1606 maydefine a hitch collar hole longitudinal axis 1610, and the hitch collarhole longitudinal axis 1610 may be substantially perpendicular to thesupport arm longitudinal axis 1604. The support arm 1602 may have afirst set screw hole 1612, which may be threaded. Further, a first setscrew 1614 may be attached to the first set screw hole 1612.

[0089] The apparatus 1600 may further comprise a hitch collar 1616inserted into the hitch collar hole 1606 in the support arm 1602 andattached to the support arm 1602. If a hitch collar 1616 is included,then the first set screw hole 1612 may extend through both the supportarm 1602 and the hitch collar 1616. The hitch collar 1616 may have asecond set screw hole 1618, which may be threaded, and a second setscrew 1620 may be attached to the second set screw hole 1618.Alternatively, the second set screw hole 1618 could be located in thesupport arm 1602, for example on a top 1622 of the support arm 1602 (andcould also extend through the hitch collar 1616), and the second setscrew 1620 could be attached to the second screw hole in the support arm1602. Alternatively, the first set screw hole could be located in thehitch collar 1616, (and not in the support arm 1602), for example in aportion 1623 of the hitch collar 1616 that protrudes behind the supportarm 1602, and the first set screw 1614 could be attached to the firstscrew hole in the hitch collar 1616. In another alternative embodiment,one or more additional set screw holes could be provided in the supportarm 1602 and/or the hitch collar 1616, and additional set screws couldalso be provided to be attached to the additional set screw holes. Theapparatus 1600 may also include a primary swing arm 1624 (having alongitudinal axis 1625), and a primary hinge assembly 350 for swingablyattaching the primary swing arm 1624 to the support arm 1602.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 17, the apparatus 1600 may also include acollar insertion member 1626, which may be inserted into the hitchcollar 1616. The shape of a cross section of the collar insertion member1626 perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 1628 of the collar insertionmember 1626, may be the same as the cross sectional shape of the hitchcollar 1616 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1610 of the hitchcollar 1616, which for example, may be rectangular (and morespecifically, may be square). However, cross sections of the collarinsertion member 1626 and/or the hitch collar 1616 could have any shapesthat permit inserting the collar insertion member 1626 into the hitchcollar 1616, and securing the collar insertion member 1626 to the hitchcollar 1616, and need not be the same. For example, the shape of a crosssection of the collar insertion member 1626 and or the hitch collar 1616could be a square, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any othersuitable shape. In embodiments that do not include a hitch collar 1616,the support arm 1602 could be attached directly to the collar insertionmember 1626 (for example, by tightening one or more set screws), and thecross section of the collar insertion member 1626 could have any shapethat permits inserting the collar insertion member 1626 into the hitchcollar hole 1606 in the support arm 1602, and that also permitsinsertion into the trailer hitch 102 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) attachedto the vehicle 104 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), and securing the collarinsertion member 1626 to the trailer hitch 102. For example, a crosssection of the collar insertion member 1626 could be a rectangle,square, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any other suitableshape. The collar insertion member 1626 may be shaped to be insertableinto any sized or shaped vehicle trailer hitch. In an alternativeembodiment, if the openings in the hitch collar 1616 and the trailerhitch 102 do not have the same cross sectional shape and size, then thecollar insertion member 1626 could have two (or more) cross sectionalshapes, wherein a first shape may correspond with the cross sectionalshape of the opening in the hitch collar 1616 (or the hitch collar hole1606 if a hitch collar 1616 is not included), and wherein a second shapemay correspond with the shape of the opening in the vehicle trailerhitch (the rearward facing hollow tubular end 108 of the trailer hitch102), for the portion of the collar insertion member 1626 that may beinserted into the vehicle trailer hitch. Thus, the collar insertionmember 1626 may be configured to attach to various types of tubulartrailer hitch openings having different sizes and shapes.

[0091] Still referring to FIG. 17, the collar insertion member 1626 mayhave a hole 1630 in a first side 1632 and a corresponding hole (notshown) in a second side 1634 that is opposite the first side 1634, topermit inserting a hitch locking pin 112 (shown in FIG. 2) through thehole 1630 and the corresponding hole in the second side 1634 of thecollar insertion member 1626, and corresponding hole 110 (shown in FIG.2) in the second side (and the corresponding hole in the first side) ofthe trailer hitch 102, to secure the collar insertion member 1626 to thevehicle 104 trailer hitch 102. The collar insertion member 1626 may alsohave a second hole 1636 in the first side 1632, and a corresponding hole(not shown) in the second side 1634 of the collar insertion member 1626,to permit selectively inserting the hitch locking pin 112 through eitherthe hole 1630 or the hole 1636, to selectively determine the length ofthe portion of the collar insertion member 1626 that protrudes from thetrailer hitch 102. In embodiments that do not have a hitch collar 1616,the hitch collar hole may be formed so that the edges of the hitchcollar hole 1606 contact the collar insertion member 1626, when thecollar insertion member 1626 is inserted into the hitch collar hole1606. The first set screw 1614 and/or the second set screw 1620 may betightened to contact and push against the collar insertion member 1626to secure the collar insertion member 1626 to the hitch collar 1616.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 18, although not required, in anotherembodiment of a collar insertion member 1646, a hitch ball 1640 may beattached to a hitch ball mount 1642 that is attached to the end 1644 ofthe collar insertion member 1646. Thus, the collar insertion member 1646includes the hitch ball 1640 and the hitch ball mount 1642. Accordingly,some embodiments permit attaching a trailer hitch ball 1640 to thetrailer hitch 102 of the vehicle 104 while using the apparatus 1600,which permits towing an object such as a boat or a trailer, while theapparatus 1600 is attached to the vehicle 104. The collar insertionmember 1646 may be a standard trailer hitch ball apparatus commonly usedwith vehicle trailer hitches, or may be custom designed. The collarinsertion member 1646 generally has the characteristics and features ofthe collar insertion member 1626 (in addition to having a hitch ballmount 1642 and a hitch ball 1640). A collar insertion member 1626 or acollar insertion member 1646 may interchangeably be used with theapparatus 1600.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 19, the apparatus 1600 is shown with the collarinsertion member 1626 fully inserted into the hitch collar 1616.

[0094]FIG. 20 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of theapparatus 2000, wherein the hitch collar 2002 does not have a portion1623 (shown in FIG. 16) protruding behind the support arm 2003, butinstead ends immediately behind the back side 2004 of the support arm2003. In this embodiment both the first set screw 2006 and the secondset screw 2008 are located so as to be inserted into holes (not shown)in the support arm 2003, and into holes (not shown) in the hitch collar2002 beneath the holes in the support arm 2003. Besides thesedifferences, the apparatus 2000 generally may have the elements andcharacteristics of the apparatus 1600. In FIG. 20, the collar insertionmember 1626 is shown fully inserted in to the hitch collar 2002.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 21, the apparatus 1600 is shown adjacent avehicle 104 that is attached to a trailer hitch 102. As discussed above,a hitch locking pin 112 is shown for insertion into hole 1630 or hole1636 (and through the corresponding hole on the second side 1634) of thein the collar insertion member 1626, and through the hole 110 in thetrailer hitch 102 (and the corresponding hole on the opposite side ofthe trailer hitch 102) to secure the apparatus 1600 to the trailer hitch102. A locking pin clip 2102 may be inserted into a hole 2104 in thehitch locking pin 112, to secure the hitch locking pin 112 to thetrailer hitch 102. A pedestal 376 is attached to the primary swing arm1624, and a column 384 is inserted into the pedestal 376. A cookingdevice is attached to the column 384 (either directly or as described inother sections herein). However, a device other than a cooking devicecould be attached.

[0096] Still referring to FIG. 21, the apparatus 1600 may also include aground support post 2104, which may be attached to the primary swing arm1624. A base 2106 may be attached to the ground support post 2104. Theground support post 2104 may be one piece, or as shown, may have atelescoping end portion 2108 inserted into a base portion 2110, foradjusting the length of the ground support post 2104. In one example,holes 2112 may be provided in the ground support post 2104 for insertingone or more bolts or pins for locking the length of the ground supportpost 2104. When extended to come in contact with the ground, the groundsupport post 2104 helps support the weight of the apparatus 1600 and anyattached device. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21, aground support post hinge 2114 may be attached to the primary swing arm1624, and the ground support post 2104 may be attached to the groundsupport post hinge 2114, to permit swinging the ground support post 2104from a first position near the primary swing arm 1624, to a secondposition wherein an end (which may be the base 2106) of the groundsupport post 2104 is in contact with the ground. In other embodiments(not shown), a ground support post hinge 2114 is not provided, and theground support post 2104 may be slidably attached to the apparatus 1624for vertical movement from a first position wherein the ground supportpost 2104 is adjacent the apparatus 1600, to a second position whereinan end (the base 2106) of the ground support post 2104 is in contactwith the ground. A ground support post retaining clip (not shown) may beattached to the primary swing arm 1624, for securing the ground supportpost 2104 in the first position, retracted near the primary swing arm1624. Additionally or instead of providing a ground support postretaining clip, a spring (not shown) may be attached to the groundsupport post 2104 and to the primary swing arm 1624 (or the groundsupport post hinge 2114), for holding the ground support post in thefirst position near the primary swing arm 1624. The ground support post2104 (with or without the base 2106) and the ground support post hinge2114 together may be called a kickstand. The ground support post 2104(and any of the associated elements discussed herein) may also beincluded in any of the other embodiments of the invention discussed inany section herein.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 22, the appatatus 1600 is shown with theprimary swing arm 1624 in an extended position, and with the groundsupport post 2104 extended and in contact with the ground 2202. In FIG.22, a hitch ball 1640 is attached to a hitch ball mount 1642, which arepart of the collar insertion member.

[0098] Referring to FIGS. 21 and 23, the position of the hitch collar1616 on the collar insertion member 1626 may be adjusted to locate theapparatus 1600 (or 2000) at a desired distance from the vehicle 104, toaccommodate attaching different sized devices to the apparatus. Thus,the support arm 1602 may be positioned at a desired distance from thevehicle 104, selected from a range of distances determined by the lengthof the collar insertion member 1626, (and by which hole 1630 or 1636 isused to secure the collar insertion member 1626 to the trailer hitch102), and may be secured in the desired position by tightening the setscrews 1614, 1620.

[0099] The primary swing arm 1624 discussed in this section (with regardto the apparatus 1600, 2000) may be the same as the primary swing arm340 discussed in other sections herein, except that the primary swingarm 1624 may be shorter to permit the hitch ball mount 1642 and thehitch ball 1640 to protrude from the apparatus 1600 without being hit bythe primary swing arm 1624, and to permit the collar insertion member1626 to protrude from the apparatus 1600 without being hit by theprimary swing arm 1624 in embodiments where the collar insertion member1626 also protrudes. Thus, a length of the support arm 1602 parallel tothe support arm longitudinal axis 1604 may be greater than a length ofthe primary swing arm 1624 parallel to the primary swing armlongitudinal axis 1625. The primary hinge assembly 350 discussed in thissection may be the same as the primary hinge assembly 350 described inother sections herein. Similarly, the pedestal 376 and the column 384discussed in this section may be the same as the pedestal 376 and thecolumn 384 discussed in other sections herein. The apparatus 1600 or2000, may generally have any of the elements, features, andcharacteristics discussed in other sections herein for otherembodiments. For any embodiment discussed herein, the device may be anytransportable device of suitable size and weight, and may be forexample, a cooking device, a bicycle (or bicycles), skis, luggage, awheelchair, a container, or a tank (for storing a gas or a liquid).These devices may be attached to the apparatus using any suitable methodof attachment, and need not be attached to a column and/or pedestal.

II. OPERATION

[0100] In addition to the various hardware embodiments described above,a different aspect of the invention concerns a method for using anapparatus that temporarily attaches to a vehicle, for transporting acooking device 348 and positioning the cooking device 348 in anorientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle. FIG. 15shows a sequence 1500 for an exemplary method for using the apparatus.However, other methods of using the apparatus could be used. For ease ofexplanation, but without any intended limitation, the example of FIG. 15is described in the context of the apparatus 100 described above inFIGS. 1-4.

[0101] The sequence 1500 begins with task 1502 in which the apparatus isattached to the trailer hitch 102 on the vehicle 104. In task 1504, theuser secures the apparatus in a closed position for safe transport fordriving the vehicle 104. The apparatus 100 may be secured by orientingthe primary swing arm 340 in a closed position next to the support arm322, and then inserting the primary angle locking bar 368 into theprimary angle securing hole 338 and also into the locking hole from theplurality of locking holes 356 in the top hinge plate 352 of the primaryhinge assembly 350 that is lined up with the support arm primary anglesecuring hole 338 when the primary swing arm 340 is in a closed positionnext to the support arm 322. Alternatively, or in addition to using theprimary angle locking bar 368 to secure the apparatus 100, the apparatus100 may be secured by orienting the primary swing arm 340 in a closedposition next to the support arm 322, and then inserting the locking bar438 into the securing wall hole 436, the pedestal back securing hole428, the column back securing hole 432, the column front securing hole430, and the pedestal front securing hole 426, and securing the lockingbar in place, for example with a locking pin or a lock. In task 1506,the user drives the vehicle 104 to a desired cooking location. The userthen parks the vehicle 104 at the desired cooking location in task 1508.In task 1510, the user unsecures the apparatus 100 from the closedposition, while leaving the apparatus 100 connected to the trailer hitch102 on the vehicle 104. The apparatus 100 is unsecured by removing theprimary angle locking bar 368, and/or by removing the locking bar 438.Next, in task 1512, the user selects a locking hole from a plurality oflocking holes 356 on the primary hinge assembly 350, to line up with theangle securing hole 338 on the support arm 322, to establish a desiredangle between the support arm longitudinal axis 332 and the primaryswing arm longitudinal axis 342, wherein the desired angle is selectedfrom a plurality of angles determined by the locations of the pluralityof locking holes 356 and the angle securing hole 338. In task 1514, theuser moves the primary swing arm 340, to align the selected locking holewith the angle securing hole 338. Next, in task 1516, the user insertsthe primary angle locking bar 368 into the selected locking hole fromthe plurality of locking holes 356 and into the angle securing hole 338,to lock the primary swing arm longitudinal axis 342 at the desired anglein relation to the support arm longitudinal axis 332. Optionally, intask 1518, the user rotates the cooking device 348 to a desiredrotation. Optionally, in task 1520, the user secures the cooking device348 at the desired rotation. Optionally, in task 1522, the user adjuststhe height of cooking device 348 to a desired height. Optionally, intask 1524, the user secures the cooking device 348 at the desiredheight. If the cooking device 348 is not already connected to a fuelsource or does not already have a fuel source, then in task 1526, theuser connects a fuel line connected to a fuel source to the cookingdevice 348. In task 1528 the user ignites a heat source in the cookingdevice 348. The user cooks some food in task 1530. Next, in task 1532,the user extinguishes the heat source in the cooking device 348.Optionally, in task 1534, the user disconnects the fuel line from thecooking device 348. Typically, the fuel line will be disconnected fromthe cooking device 348 prior to transporting the apparatus 100. However,the fuel line could be left connected if the fuel tank 452 is attachedto the apparatus 100 during transport, for example in a fuel tank holder450. Next, in task 1536, the user secures the apparatus in a closedposition for safe transport for driving the vehicle 104, as describedabove. In task 1538, the user then drives the vehicle 104 to anotherlocation. In task 1540, the user parks the vehicle 104. Finally, in task1542, the user removes the apparatus 100 from the trailer hitch 102 onthe vehicle 104.

[0102] Alternatively, after parking the vehicle 104 at the locationdesired for cooking, the user removes the apparatus 100 from the trailerhitch 102 of the vehicle 104 places the apparatus 100 on a carrier standthat is separate from the apparatus 100, optionally connects a fuel lineconnected to a fuel source to the cooking device 348, ignites the heatsource in the cooking device 348, cooks some food, extinguishes the heatsource, optionally disconnects the fuel line from the cooking device348, removes the apparatus 100 from the carrier stand, attaches theapparatus 100 to the trailer hitch 102 on the vehicle 104, secures theapparatus 100 in a closed position for safe transport for driving thevehicle 104, drives the vehicle 104 to another location, parks thevehicle 104, and then removes the apparatus from the trailer hitch 102on the vehicle 104.

[0103] For the embodiments of the apparatus 1600 and 2000 discussedabove, the sequence may also include selecting either a collar insertionmember 1626 that does not have a hitch ball 1640, or a collar insertionmember 1646 that includes a hitch ball 1640 and a hitch ball mount 1642.The sequence may also include inserting the collar insertion member 1626or 1646 into the hitch collar 1616. The sequence may also includetightening the set screws 1614, 1620 at this point. The sequence mayalso include inserting the collar insertion member 1626 or 1646 into therearward facing hollow tubular end of the trailer hitch 108, and mayfurther include aligning either the hole 1630 or the hole 1636 in thecollar insertion member 1626 or 1646 with the hole 110 in the trailerhitch 102. The sequence may also include inserting the hitch locking pin112 through the aligned holes to secure the collar insertion member 1626or 1646 (and the other portions of the apparatus 1600, 2000) to thetrailer hitch 102. The sequence may also include attaching a locking pinclip 2102 to the hitch locking pin 112, to prevent the hitch locking pin112 from becoming dislodged from the trailer hitch 102. If the setscrews 1614, 1620 were previously tightened, the sequence may alsoinclude loosening the set screws 1614, 1620 so that, if desired, thesequence may also include moving the hitch collar 1616 in a directionsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 1628 of the collarinsertion member 1626, 1646, to position the support arm 1602, 2003 (andother portions of the apparatus) at a desired distance from the vehicle104. The sequence may also include tightening the set screws 1614, 1620after the support arm 1602, 2003 is at a desired distance from thevehicle 104, to secure the hitch collar 1616 to the collar insertionmember 1626, 1646. In embodiments in which only one set screw isprovided, then in the sequence only the single set screw is tightened(or loosened). In summary, in some embodiments attaching the apparatusto a trailer hitch 102 on the vehicle 104 may include one or more of theoperations described in this paragraph.

[0104] For ease of explanation, but without any limitation intendedlimitation, use of the ground support post 2104 is discussed withreference to the apparatus 100, 1600, 2000. However, the ground supportpost 2104 could be used with other embodiments discussed herein. For anyembodiment that includes a ground support post 2104, the sequence mayalso include moving an end of the ground support post 2104 from aposition near the apparatus 100, 1600, 2000, to a position in contactwith the ground 2202, after the primary swing arm 340, 1624 is securedat a desired angle in relation to the support arm 322, 1602. Moving theend of the ground support post 2104 from a position near the apparatus100, 1600, 2000, to a position in contact with the ground 2202, mayassist in securing the device at a desired height in some embodiments.To prepare the apparatus 100, 1600, 2000 for transport, the sequence mayalso include moving the end of the ground support post 2104 from aposition in contact with the ground 2202, to a position near theapparatus 100, 1600, 2000. For any embodiment of the invention, thesequence may also include removing the device from the apparatus topermit using the device, and may also include attaching the device tothe apparatus when use of the device is completed.

III. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

[0105] Some examples of the invention are described in the followingentries:

[0106] Entry 1. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, fortransporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in anorientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle, theapparatus comprising:

[0107] a hitch insertion member having a base;

[0108] a support arm having a support arm top and a support arm bottom,and wherein the support arm defines a support arm longitudinal axis, andwherein the support arm top has a support arm top primary hinge hole andthe support arm bottom has a support arm bottom primary hinge holealigned with the support arm top primary hinge hole, and wherein thesupport arm is attached to the base of the hitch insertion member;

[0109] a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinalaxis;

[0110] a primary hinge assembly comprising:

[0111] a top hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with thesupport arm top primary hinge hole;

[0112] a bottom hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with thesupport arm bottom primary hinge hole; and

[0113] an attachment wall connected to the top hinge plate and thebottom hinge plate, the attachment wall being attached to the primaryswing arm;

[0114] a primary hinge bar inserted through the central hole in the tophinge plate in the primary hinge assembly, the support arm top primaryhinge hole, the support arm bottom primary hinge hole, and the centralhole in the bottom hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly, to attachthe primary swing arm to the support arm, and to permit the swing arm torotate in relation to the support arm;

[0115] a pedestal having a base, wherein the base of the pedestal isattached to the primary swing arm; and

[0116] a column, the column being at least partially inserted into thepedestal.

[0117] Entry 2. The apparatus of entry 1:

[0118] wherein the hitch insertion member has a hitch insertion memberfirst side and a hitch insertion member second side, and wherein thehitch insertion member first side has a hole and the hitch insertionmember second side has a hole aligned with the hole in the hitchinsertion member first side;

[0119] wherein the support arm has a support arm primary angle securinghole;

[0120] wherein the top hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly has aplurality of locking holes for selective alignment with the support armangle securing hole;

[0121] wherein the primary hinge assembly further comprises a stop wallattached to the bottom hinge plate to establish the maximum angle thelongitudinal axis of the primary swing arm can rotate in relation to thelongitudinal axis of the support arm;

[0122] wherein the pedestal has a rotation adjustment hole;

[0123] further comprising a primary angle locking bar inserted into oneof the plurality of locking holes in the top hinge plate of the primaryhinge assembly and into the primary angle securing hole in the supportarm, to lock the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm at an anglein relation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm selected from aplurality of angles determined by the locations of the locking holes inthe top hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly and by the location ofthe primary angle securing hole in the support arm;

[0124] further comprising a column rotation locking bar secured throughthe pedestal rotation adjustment hole to lock the column at a selectedrotation within the pedestal; and

[0125] a lateral member attached to the column.

[0126] Entry 3. The apparatus of entry 2 further comprising a cookingdevice attached to the lateral member.

[0127] Entry 4. The apparatus of entry 3 wherein the cooking device is abarbeque.

[0128] Entry 5. The apparatus of entry 4:

[0129] wherein the pedestal has a pedestal front securing hole and apedestal back securing hole, and wherein the pedestal front securinghole and the pedestal back securing hole are on opposite sides of thepedestal and are aligned with each other;

[0130] wherein the column has a column front securing hole and a columnback securing hole, wherein the column front securing hole and thecolumn back securing hole are on opposite sides of the column and arealigned with each other, and wherein the column front securing hole islocated to permit alignment with the pedestal front securing hole andthe column back securing hole is located to permit alignment with thepedestal back securing hole when the column is fully inserted into thepedestal; and

[0131] further comprising:

[0132] a securing wall attached to the support arm, the securing wallhaving a securing wall hole located to align with the pedestal backsecuring hole when the primary swing arm is adjacent the support arm;and

[0133] a locking bar for insertion into the pedestal front securinghole, the column front securing hole, the column back securing hole, thepedestal back securing hole, and the securing wall hole, to secure theapparatus for transport.

[0134] Entry 6. The apparatus of entry 5:

[0135] wherein the central hole in the top hinge plate of the primaryhinge assembly is located in an overhang area of the top hinge plate,and wherein the plurality of locking holes in the top hinge plate of theprimary hinge assembly are also located in the overhang area of the tophinge plate; and

[0136] wherein the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of the primaryhinge assembly is located in an overhang area of the bottom hinge plate.

[0137] Entry 7. The apparatus of entry 6 wherein the bottom hinge platealso has a nonoverhang area, and wherein the stop wall is partiallycontiguous with the overhang area and the nonoverhang area of the bottomhinge plate.

[0138] Entry 8. The apparatus of entry 7 wherein the support arm has afirst end, and wherein the support arm top primary hinge hole is locatedwithin about 5 centimeters from the second end of the support arm, andwherein the support arm primary angle securing hole is located withinabout 10 centimeters from the support arm top primary hinge hole.

[0139] Entry 9. The apparatus of entry 8:

[0140] wherein the hitch insertion member defines a hitch insertionmember longitudinal axis, and wherein a cross section of the hitchinsertion member perpendicular to the hitch insertion memberlongitudinal axis is a square;

[0141] wherein a cross section of the support arm perpendicular to thesupport arm longitudinal axis is a rectangle;

[0142] wherein a cross section of the primary swing arm perpendicular tothe primary swing arm longitudinal axis is a rectangle; and

[0143] wherein the pedestal defines a pedestal longitudinal axis andwherein a cross section of the pedestal perpendicular to the pedestallongitudinal axis is a square; and

[0144] wherein the column defines a column longitudinal axis, andwherein a cross section of the column perpendicular to the columnlongitudinal axis is a circle.

[0145] Entry 10. The apparatus of entry 9 further comprising:

[0146] a support arm outside gusset attached to the support arm and thehitch insertion member;

[0147] a support arm inside gusset attached to the support arm and thehitch insertion member;

[0148] an inside pedestal gusset attached to the pedestal and theprimary swing arm, the inside pedestal gusset having a threaded holealigned with the rotation adjustment hole in the pedestal;

[0149] an outside pedestal gusset attached to the pedestal and theprimary swing arm;

[0150] a top hinge hole liner attached to the support arm top primaryhinge hole;

[0151] a bottom hinge hole liner attached to the support arm bottomprimary hinge hole;

[0152] a first bracket attached to a first end of the lateral member;

[0153] a second bracket attached to a second end of the lateral member;

[0154] a plurality of bolts and nuts; and

[0155] wherein the first bracket has a plurality of holes and the secondbracket has a plurality of holes, and the barbeque has a plurality ofholes aligned with the plurality of holes in the first bracket and thesecond bracket, and wherein the barbeque is attached to the firstbracket and the second bracket with a bolt from the plurality of boltsinserted through each of the aligned holes in the barbeque and the firstbracket, and through each of the aligned holes in the barbeque and thesecond bracket, with each bolt being secured with a nut from theplurality of nuts; and

[0156] wherein the lateral member has a lateral member hole, and thecolumn is inserted into the lateral member hole.

[0157] Entry 11. The apparatus of entry 4:

[0158] wherein the hitch insertion member defines a hitch insertionmember longitudinal axis and the pedestal defines a pedestallongitudinal axis;

[0159] wherein the support arm has a support arm first end, and whereinthe support arm first end is attached to the base of the hitch insertionmember with the support arm longitudinal axis substantiallyperpendicular to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis; and

[0160] wherein the primary swing arm has a primary swing arm hinged endand a primary swing arm swinging end, and wherein the attachment wall ofthe primary hinge assembly is attached to the primary swing arm hingedend, and wherein the base of the pedestal is attached to the primaryhinge assembly swinging end, with the pedestal longitudinal axissubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the primaryswing arm.

[0161] Entry 12. The apparatus of entry 4, wherein, the support armlongitudinal axis and the swing arm longitudinal axis are substantiallyparallel and horizontal, when the hitch insertion member is oriented tobe inserted into a trailer hitch.

[0162] Entry 13. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the support armlongitudinal axis is substantially parallel to horizontal, and whereinthe swing arm longitudinal axis defines an angle alpha from horizontal,when the hitch insertion member is oriented to be inserted into atrailer hitch.

[0163] Entry 14. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the support arm andthe primary swing arm are curved.

[0164] Entry 15. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the support arm hasat least one additional support arm segment and the primary swing armhas at least one additional swing arm segment.

[0165] Entry 16. The apparatus of entry 3, further comprising a hitchvertical member attached to the hitch insertion member and the supportarm for attaching the support arm to the hitch insertion member and tolocate the support arm and the primary swing arm in a plane that is aspecified distance above the trailer hitch.

[0166] Entry 17. The apparatus of entry 4 wherein the primary swing armis above the support arm.

[0167] Entry 18. The apparatus of entry 3, further comprising a supportvertical member attached to the primary hinge assembly and the primaryswing arm to position the primary swing arm a specified distance abovethe support arm.

[0168] Entry 19. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the primary swing armcomprises a retainer portion and a telescoping insertion portionpartially inserted into the retainer portion and secured to the retainerportion, wherein the telescoping insertion portion can be partiallyextended from within the retainer portion to extend the length of theprimary swing arm, and wherein the attachment wall of the primary hingeassembly is attached to the retainer portion, and wherein the base ofthe pedestal is attached to the telescoping insertion portion.

[0169] Entry 20. The apparatus of entry 3, further comprising asupplemental trailer hitch receptacle attached to the apparatus.

[0170] Entry 21. The apparatus of entry 20, further comprising trailerhitch ball attached to the supplemental trail hitch receptacle.

[0171] Entry 22. The apparatus of entry 4 further comprising a licenseplate mount and a license plate light attached to the apparatus.

[0172] Entry 23. The apparatus of entry 4 further comprising a fuel tankretaining rack attached to the apparatus, for attaching a fuel tank tothe apparatus.

[0173] Entry 24. The apparatus of entry 4 further comprising a shockdampening device having a shock dampening device first end attached tothe hitch insertion member and a shock dampening device second endattached to the lateral member.

[0174] Entry 25. The apparatus of entry 3 further comprising:

[0175] a height locking bar pivotally connected to the swing arm, theheight locking bar having a movable end having a hole;

[0176] a ledge attached to the lateral member, the ledge having alateral slit;

[0177] a height locking bolt inserted through the hole in the movableend of the height locking bar and the lateral slit in the ledge of thelateral member; and

[0178] a wingnut attached to the height locking bolt, for locking thecooking apparatus at a desired height.

[0179] Entry 26. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the hitch insertionmember has a hitch insertion member top and a hitch insertion memberbottom, and wherein the hitch insertion member top has a hitch insertionmember top hinge hole and the hitch insertion member bottom has a hitchinsertion member bottom hinge hole aligned with the hitch insertionmember top hinge hole, and wherein the hitch insertion member top has ahitch insertion member angle securing hole; and

[0180] further comprising:

[0181] a central hinge assembly comprising:

[0182] a top hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with thehitch insertion member top hinge hole, the top hinge plate also having aplurality of locking holes for selective alignment with the hitchinsertion member locking hole;

[0183] a bottom hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with thehitch insertion member bottom hinge hole;

[0184] a stop wall attached to the bottom hinge plate to establish amaximum angle the longitudinal axis of the support arm can rotate inrelation to the longitudinal axis of the hitch insertion member; and

[0185] a back wall connected to the top hinge plate and the bottom hingeplate, the back wall being attached to the support arm;

[0186] a central hinge bar inserted through the central hole in the tophinge plate in the central hinge assembly, the hitch insertion membertop hinge hole, the hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole, and thecentral hole in the bottom hinge plate of the central hinge assembly, toattach the support arm to the base of the hitch insertion member, and topermit the support arm to rotate in relation to the hitch insertionmember; and

[0187] a central angle locking bar inserted into one of the plurality oflocking holes in the top hinge plate of the central hinge assembly andinto the locking hole in the hitch insertion member, to lock thelongitudinal axis of the support arm at an angle in relation to thelongitudinal axis of the hitch insertion member selected from aplurality of angles determined by the locations of the locking holes inthe top hinge plate of the central hinge assembly and by the location ofthe angle securing hole in the hitch insertion member.

[0188] Entry 27. The apparatus of entry 3:

[0189] wherein the support arm has a support arm top secondary hingehole and the support arm bottom has a support arm bottom secondary hingehole aligned with the support arm top secondary hinge hole, and whereinthe support arm top has a support arm secondary angle securing hole; and

[0190] further comprising:

[0191] a secondary swing arm defining a secondary swing arm longitudinalaxis;

[0192] a secondary hinge assembly comprising:

[0193] a top hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with thesupport arm top secondary hinge hole, the top hinge plate also having aplurality of locking holes for selective alignment with the support armsecondary angle securing hole;

[0194] a bottom hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with thesupport arm bottom secondary hinge hole;

[0195] a stop wall attached to the bottom hinge plate to establish themaximum angle the longitudinal axis of the secondary swing arm canrotate in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm; and

[0196] an attachment wall connected to the top hinge plate and thebottom hinge plate, the attachment wall being attached to the secondaryswing arm;

[0197] a secondary hinge bar inserted through the central hole in thetop hinge plate in the secondary hinge assembly, the support arm topsecondary hinge hole, the support arm bottom secondary hinge hole, andthe central hole in the bottom hinge plate of the secondary hingeassembly, to attach the secondary swing arm to the support arm, and topermit the secondary swing arm to rotate in relation to the support arm;and

[0198] a secondary angle locking bar inserted into one of the pluralityof locking holes in the top hinge plate of the secondary hinge assemblyand into the secondary angle securing hole in the support arm, to lockthe longitudinal axis of the secondary swing arm at an angle in relationto the longitudinal axis of the support arm selected from a plurality ofangles determined by the locations of the locking holes in the top hingeplate of the secondary hinge assembly and by the location of thesecondary angle securing hole in the support arm.

[0199] Entry 28. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, fortransporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in anorientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle, theapparatus comprising:

[0200] means for connecting the apparatus to a trailer hitch on avehicle;

[0201] a support arm defining a support arm longitudinal axis, whereinthe support arm is attached to the means for connecting the apparatus toa trailer hitch;

[0202] a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinalaxis;

[0203] means for pivotally attaching the primary swing arm to thesupport arm;

[0204] means for locking the longitudinal axis of the primary swing armat an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support armselected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of aplurality of locking holes and an angle securing hole;

[0205] means for attaching the cooking device to the primary swing arm;

[0206] means for rotating the cooking device;

[0207] means for adjusting the height of the cooking device; and

[0208] means for securing the apparatus for safe transport while drivingthe vehicle.

[0209] Entry 29. A method for using an apparatus that temporarilyattaches to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking device and positioningthe cooking device in an orientation for cooking that permits access tothe vehicle, the method comprising:

[0210] attaching the apparatus to a trailer hitch on a vehicle;

[0211] securing the apparatus in a closed position for safe transportfor driving the vehicle;

[0212] driving the vehicle to a desired cooking location; parking thevehicle at the desired cooking location;

[0213] unsecuring the apparatus from the closed position, while leavingthe apparatus connected to the trailer hitch on the vehicle;

[0214] selecting a locking hole from a plurality of locking holes, toline up with an angle securing hole, to establish a desired anglebetween a support arm longitudinal axis and a swing arm longitudinalaxis, wherein the desired angle is selected from a plurality of anglesdetermined by the locations of the plurality of locking holes and theangle securing hole;

[0215] moving the swing arm to align the selected locking hole with theangle securing hole;

[0216] inserting an angle locking bar into the selected locking hole andinto the angle securing hole, to lock the swing arm longitudinal axis atthe desired angle in relation to the support arm longitudinal axis;

[0217] rotating the cooking device to a desired rotation;

[0218] securing the cooking device at the desired rotation;

[0219] igniting a heat source in the cooking device;

[0220] cooking some food;

[0221] extinguishing the heat source in the cooking device;

[0222] securing the apparatus in a closed position for safe transportfor driving the vehicle;

[0223] driving the vehicle to another location;

[0224] parking the vehicle; and

[0225] removing the apparatus from the trailer hitch on the vehicle.

[0226] Entry 30. The method of entry 29 further comprising:

[0227] adjusting height of cooking device to a desired height; and

[0228] securing the cooking device at the desired height.

[0229] Entry 31. The method of entry 29 further comprising:

[0230] connecting a fuel line connected to a fuel source to the cookingdevice, before igniting the heat source in the cooking device; and

[0231] disconnecting the fuel line from the cooking device, afterextinguishing the heat source in the cooking device.

[0232] Some examples of the invention may be summarized as follows:

[0233] One aspect of the present invention concerns a portable apparatusthat is selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cookingdevice and positioning the cooking device in an orientation for cookingthat permits access to the vehicle.

[0234] In one example of the invention, the apparatus includes a hitchinsertion member, a support arm that is attached to the hitch insertionmember, a swing arm that is attached to the support arm with a hinge, apedestal attached to the swing arm, and a cooking device that isattached to a column that is inserted into the pedestal. As an example,the cooking device may be a propane fueled barbeque.

[0235] The hitch insertion member is shaped for insertion into a trailerhitch attached to a vehicle. The hitch insertion member has a hole in afirst side, and a hole in a second side aligned with the hole in thefirst side, for securing the hitch insertion member to the trailerhitch. As an example, the hitch insertion member is inserted into thetrailer hitch and is secured to the trailer hitch in a user's garageprior to driving to a sporting event for a tailgate barbeque party.

[0236] The support arm is attached to a base of the hitch insertionmember. The support arm has a support arm top hinge hole, and a supportarm bottom hinge hole that is aligned with the support arm top hingehole. The support arm top also has a support arm angle securing hole.

[0237] The swing arm is attached to a locking hinge assembly. Thelocking hinge assembly has a top hinge plate that has a central holethat is aligned with the support arm top hinge hole. The top hinge platealso has a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment with thesupport arm angle securing hole. The locking hinge assembly also has abottom hinge plate that has a central hole that is aligned with thesupport arm bottom hinge hole. The locking hinge assembly also has astop wall attached to the bottom hinge plate to establish the maximumangle the swing arm can rotate in relation to the longitudinal axis ofthe support arm. The locking hinge assembly also includes a hinge barthat is inserted through the central hole in the top hinge plate in thelocking hinge assembly, the support arm top hinge hole, the support armbottom hinge hole, and the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of thelocking hinge assembly, to attach the swing arm to the support arm, andto permit the swing arm to rotate in relation to the support arm.

[0238] The locking hinge assembly further includes an angle locking bar,that the user inserts into one of the plurality of locking holes in thetop hinge plate and into the angle securing hole in the support arm, tolock the longitudinal axis of the swing arm at a selected angle inrelation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm. The selected angleis determined by the location of the locking hole in the plurality oflocking holes in the top hinge plate that the user chooses to align withthe angle securing hole in the support arm.

[0239] Prior to driving the vehicle that the apparatus is attached to,the user swings the swing arm into a closed position next to the supportarm, which causes one of the locking holes in the top hinge plate tobecome aligned with the angle securing hole in the support arm. The userthen places the angle locking bar into the aligned holes to lock theswing arm in the closed position next to the support arm.

[0240] After the user parks the vehicle at the desired cooking location,the user removes the angle locking bar from the angle securing hole inthe support arm, and then swings the nonhinged end of the swing arm awayfrom the support arm, to move the cooking device further behind thevehicle, or to the side of the vehicle, to generally position thecooking device in a desired location for cooking, and to permit accessto the rear door(s) or hatch of the vehicle. The user can then lock theswing arm to keep the cooking device at the desired location. The swingarm is locked into position by moving the swing arm to align one of thelocking holes in the top hinge plate with the angle securing hole in thesupport arm, and then placing the angle locking bar into the alignedholes. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the support arm andthe longitudinal axis of the swing arm is determined by the location ofthe locking hole in the top hinge plate that is aligned with the anglesecuring hole.

[0241] The column that the cooking device is attached to is insertedinto the pedestal that is attached to the swing arm. The column canrotate in the pedestal, which permits the user to rotate the cookingdevice to a desired rotation. The user may secure the cooking device atthe desired rotation by tightening a column rotation locking bar that,when tightened, presses against the column through a hole in thepedestal.

[0242] One or more of the following advantages may be provided by one ormore examples of the invention. Some examples of the apparatus of thepresent invention permit swinging the cooking device further behind thevehicle, or to the side of the vehicle, to permit complete accessibilityto the vehicle cargo bay via the rear door(s) or the rear hatch of thevehicle, when loading or unloading the vehicle. Some examples of theapparatus also permit moving the cooking device before or during cookingto optimally position the cooking device, for example, with regard tosafety or the wind or sun, and the cooking device can be locked at adesired position. Another advantage is that some examples of theapparatus can be quickly moved into position for cooking, and can alsobe quickly secured for travel. Additionally, the apparatus can easily betemporarily attached to the vehicle prior to driving to an outdoorrecreational location, and then can easily be removed from the vehiclewhen the user returns home. Further, the apparatus need not be stored inthe valuable interior cargo area of the vehicle, which leaves that spaceavailable for additional passengers or supplies. Also, with regard tofire safety, the contained cooking environment of the cooking deviceprovides a much safer alternative to a campfire. Furthermore, thecooking device provides a clean cooking environment unlike many publicbarbeques.

IV. OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0243] While the foregoing disclosure shows a number of illustrativeembodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that various changes and modifications can be made hereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims. Furthermore, although elements of the invention may bedescribed or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unlesslimitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle,for transporting a device and positioning the device in an orientationthat permits access to the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a supportarm defining a support arm longitudinal axis, wherein the support armhas a hitch collar hole; a primary swing arm defining a primary swingarm longitudinal axis; and a primary hinge assembly coupled to thesupport arm and the primary swing arm.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1:wherein the support arm has a first set screw hole; and furthercomprising a first set screw attached to the first set screw hole. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hitch collar insertedinto the hitch collar hole in the support arm and attached to thesupport arm.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3: wherein the support arm has afirst set screw hole, and further comprising: a first set screw attachedto the first set screw hole; and a collar insertion member inserted intothe hitch collar, and wherein the first set screw is in contact with thecollar insertion member to secure the collar insertion member to thehitch collar.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the collar insertionmember includes a hitch ball.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4: wherein thehitch collar has a second set screw hole; and further comprising: asecond set screw attached to the second set screw hole; and wherein thefirst set screw and the second set screw are in contact with the collarinsertion member to secure the collar insertion member to the hitchcollar.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1: wherein the support arm has asupport arm primary angle securing hole, and wherein the primary hingeassembly has a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment withthe support arm angle securing hole; and further comprising a primaryangle locking bar inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes inthe primary hinge assembly and into the primary angle securing hole inthe support arm, to lock the longitudinal axis of the primary swing armat an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support armselected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of theplurality of locking holes in the primary hinge assembly and by thelocation of the primary angle securing hole in the support arm.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, further comprising a hitch collar inserted intothe hitch collar hole in the support arm and attached to the supportarm.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a collar insertionmember inserted into the hitch collar, wherein the collar insertionmember has a side having a first hole and a second hole.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the hitch collar hole defines a hitchcollar hole longitudinal axis, and wherein the hitch collar holelongitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the support armlongitudinal axis.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hitchcollar hole is located proximate a first end of the support arm, andwherein the hitch collar hole is rectangular.
 12. The apparatus of claim1, wherein a length of the support arm parallel to the support armlongitudinal axis is greater than a length of the primary swing armparallel to the primary swing arm longitudinal axis.
 13. The apparatusof claim 1, further comprising: a ground support post attached to theprimary swing arm; and a base attached to the ground support post. 14.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a ground support posthinge attached to the primary swing arm; and a ground support postattached to the ground support post hinge.
 15. The apparatus of claim14, further comprising: a base attached to an end of the ground supportpost; and a ground support post retaining clip attached to the primaryswing arm.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pedestalattached to the primary swing arm.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe support arm comprises a support arm top having a primary support armtop primary hinge hole, and a support arm bottom having a primarysupport arm bottom primary hinge hole aligned with the support arm topprimary hinge hole.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the primaryhinge assembly comprises: a top hinge plate having a central hole foralignment with the support arm top primary hinge hole; a bottom hingeplate having a central hole for alignment with the support arm bottomprimary hinge hole; and an attachment wall connected to the top hingeplate and the bottom hinge plate, and wherein the attachment wall isattached to the primary swing arm; and wherein the apparatus furthercomprises a primary hinge bar inserted through the central hole in thetop hinge plate in the primary hinge assembly, the support arm topprimary hinge hole, the support arm bottom primary hinge hole, and thecentral hole in the bottom hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly, toattach the primary swing arm to the support arm, and to permit the swingarm to rotate in relation to the support arm.
 19. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising: a pedestal having a base, wherein the base of thepedestal is attached to the primary swing arm; and a column, wherein thecolumn is at least partially inserted into the pedestal.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 19, wherein the device is coupled to the column. 21.The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the device is a cooking device, andfurther comprising a cooking device coupled to the column.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is a cooking device.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is a bicycle.
 24. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the device is a ski.
 25. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the device is luggage.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thedevice is a wheelchair.
 27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the deviceis a container.
 28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is atank.
 29. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, fortransporting a device and positioning the device in an orientation thatpermits access to the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a support armdefining a support arm longitudinal axis, wherein the support arm has ahitch collar hole; a hitch collar inserted into the hitch collar holeand attached to the support arm, wherein the hitch collar has a firstset screw hole; a first set screw attached to the first set screw hole;a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinal axis; anda primary hinge assembly coupled to the support arm and the primaryswing arm.
 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the support arm has asecond set screw hole; and further comprising a second set screwattached to the second set screw hole.
 31. The apparatus of claim 29,further comprising: a ground support post hinge attached to the primaryswing arm; and a ground support post attached to the ground support posthinge.
 32. The apparatus of claim 29: wherein the support arm has asupport arm primary angle securing hole, and wherein the primary hingeassembly has a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment withthe support arm angle securing hole; and further comprising a primaryangle locking bar inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes inthe primary hinge assembly and into the primary angle securing hole inthe support arm, to lock the longitudinal axis of the primary swing armat an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support armselected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of theplurality of locking holes in the primary hinge assembly and by thelocation of the primary angle securing hole in the support arm.
 33. Aswingable apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, the apparatuscomprising: a support arm defining a support arm longitudinal axis,wherein the support arm has a hitch collar hole and a support armprimary angle securing hole; a primary swing arm defining a primaryswing arm longitudinal axis; a primary hinge assembly coupled to thesupport arm and the primary swing arm, wherein the primary hingeassembly has a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment withthe support arm angle securing hole; and a primary angle locking barinserted into one of the plurality of locking holes in the primary hingeassembly and into the primary angle securing hole in the support arm, tolock the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm at an angle inrelation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm selected from aplurality of angles determined by the locations of the plurality oflocking holes in the primary hinge assembly and by the location of theprimary angle securing hole in the support arm.
 34. The apparatus ofclaim 33, further comprising: a ground support post hinge attached tothe primary swing arm; and a ground support post attached to the groundsupport post hinge.
 35. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising ahitch collar inserted into the hitch collar hole in the support arm andattached to the support arm.
 36. The apparatus of claim 33: wherein thesupport arm has a first set screw hole; and further comprising a firstset screw attached to the first set screw hole.
 37. An apparatusselectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking deviceand positioning the cooking device in an orientation for cooking thatpermits access to the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a hitchinsertion member having a base; a support arm defining a support armlongitudinal axis, wherein the support arm has a support arm primaryangle securing hole, and wherein the support arm is attached to the baseof the hitch insertion member; a primary swing arm defining a primaryswing arm longitudinal axis; a primary hinge assembly coupled to thesupport arm and the primary swing arm, wherein the primary hingeassembly has a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment withthe support arm angle securing hole; a primary angle locking barinserted into one of the plurality of locking holes in the primary hingeassembly and into the primary angle securing hole in the support arm, tolock the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm at an angle inrelation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm selected from aplurality of angles determined by the locations of the plurality oflocking holes in the primary hinge assembly and by the location of theprimary angle securing hole in the support arm; a ground support postattached to the primary swing arm; and a base attached to the groundsupport post.
 38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising apedestal having a base, wherein the base of the pedestal is attached tothe primary swing arm.
 39. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprisinga column, wherein the column is at least partially inserted into thepedestal.
 40. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, fortransporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in anorientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle, theapparatus comprising: a hitch insertion member having a base; a supportarm having a support arm top and a support arm bottom, and wherein thesupport arm defines a support arm longitudinal axis, and wherein thesupport arm top has a support arm top primary hinge hole and the supportarm bottom has a support arm bottom primary hinge hole aligned with thesupport arm top primary hinge hole, and wherein the support arm isattached to the base of the hitch insertion member; a primary swing armdefining a primary swing arm longitudinal axis; a primary hinge assemblycomprising: a top hinge plate having a central hole for alignment withthe support arm top primary hinge hole; a bottom hinge plate having acentral hole for alignment with the support arm bottom primary hingehole; and an attachment wall connected to the top hinge plate and thebottom hinge plate, the attachment wall being attached to the primaryswing arm; and a primary hinge bar inserted through the central hole inthe top hinge plate in the primary hinge assembly, the support arm topprimary hinge hole, the support arm bottom primary hinge hole, and thecentral hole in the bottom hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly, toattach the primary swing arm to the support arm, and to permit the swingarm to rotate in relation to the support arm.
 41. The apparatus of claim40, further comprising: a ground support post hinge attached to theprimary swing arm; and a ground support post attached to the groundsupport post hinge.
 42. An apparatus selectively attachable to avehicle, for transporting a cooking device and positioning the cookingdevice in an orientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle,the apparatus comprising: a hitch insertion member having a base; asupport arm defining a support arm longitudinal axis, wherein thesupport arm is attached to the base of the hitch insertion member; aprimary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinal axis; aprimary hinge assembly coupled to the support arm and the primary swingarm; a pedestal having a base, wherein the base of the pedestal isattached to the primary swing arm; and a column, wherein the column isat least partially inserted into the pedestal.
 43. An apparatusselectively attachable to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a supportarm having a support arm longitudinal axis; means for selectivelyattaching the support arm to the vehicle; means for positioning thesupport arm at a desired distance from the vehicle; a primary swing armhaving a primary swing arm longitudinal axis; means for swingablyattaching the primary swing arm to the support arm; and means forsecuring the primary swing arm with the longitudinal axis of the primaryswing arm at an angle selected from a plurality of angles, in relationto the longitudinal axis of the support arm.
 44. A method for attachingan apparatus to a vehicle, the method comprising: inserting a collarinsertion member into a hitch collar; inserting the collar insertionmember into a trailer hitch; and securing the collar insertion member tothe trailer hitch.
 45. The method of claim 44 further comprising: movingthe hitch collar in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinalaxis of the collar insertion member; and, securing the hitch collar tothe collar insertion member.
 46. The method of claim 44 furthercomprising locking a swing arm longitudinal axis at a desired angle inrelation to a support arm longitudinal axis.
 47. The method of claim 44further comprising moving an end of a ground support post to a desiredposition.